WATCH: Prisoners' artwork on display at Harbour Gallery

Saturday 16 March 2019

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107 paintings, drawings, ceramics and wooden items created over the last year by inmates at La Moye Prison have gone on display at the Harbour Gallery for the 11th year running.

The exhibition is the opportunity for the prisoners to take their artwork from the inside to the outside and to get feedback on their creations.

All of the works presented in the exhibition, which is open until 24 March, were created during Lucy Blackmore's art lessons at La Moye. She explained that each prisoner has the opportunity to attend a class every week to work on the project of their choosing. 

"It's a window, a chance to do something creative," Ms Blackmore said. "They all work so hard, no one wastes any chances. The lessons are quite long but they are always so focused on their work. The last two months before the exhibition are really good for them because they have the deadline in mind. It's a simulation of real life, we all have to deal with deadlines from time to time."

 

Pictured: Lucy Blackmore, Art teacher at States of Jersey Prison Service.

"It's difficult to get inspiration in the prison," Ms Blackmore added. "But students come to the class with some ideas of what they want to do. We go on the journey they want to follow and my job is to help them with that. If someone wants to do a portrait, we will work on proportions. The technique is individualised even though the teaching is done in groups."

Prison Governor, Nick Cameron, said: “Art can provide individuals with a positive way of expressing themselves and improve their resilience while developing skills and knowledge to help them change. It can also improve their sense of wellbeing and self-esteem, which increases the likelihood of a successful reintegration into the community.”

Pictured: 107 creations are on display as part of the 'Inside Out' exhibition.

Ms Blackmore said that most of the students in her class have never done anything artistic and do not believe they can paint or draw anything, something she aims to combat in her classes. "It's about finding out what the person can do, whether it's clay, woodwork or painting. We try and find the artist in everyone.

"Everyone who is in the exhibition said they couldn't do it. It has been a real journey for all of them and it's great to see it all come together."

 

Pictured: All of Ms Blackmore's students said they couldn't paint or draw.

Ms Blackmore said that being able to connect with the public through the annual exhibition was really positive for the inmates. It also help raise funds for charitable causes and this year's proceeds will go to the Jersey Samaritans and the Rock2Recovery initiative. 

"It is so important for them," Ms Blackmore said. "We have in which we encourage people to write their feelings about the exhibition and it's actually the most precious thing that comes back from the exhibition. Everyone is more interested in what people said that in knowing whether or not their artwork has sold. Even if they don't buy anything, someone's words might give more confidence to the artists."

 

Pictured: Proceeds from the exhibition will go to the Jersey Samaritans and the Rock2Recovery initiative.

While the exhibition is something the prisoners look forward to, the benefits of the art classes go way beyond it according to Dr. David Holmes, the Head of Learning and Skills at the States of Jersey Prison Service. “Prisoners show increased motivation and social skills after participating in art classes," he said.

"Education in art can also lead to improved thinking skills and better control of emotions. It’sjust one of the opportunities we offer at the prison to support prisoners’ rehabilitation. Taking part in interventions, such as learning new skills, offence-specific programmes or one-to-one support can reduce the chances of prisoners reoffending.”

 

 

Express went to see the 'Inside Out' exhibition ...